Work Text:
In Phillip’s mind, Phineas Taylor Barnum was many things. He was a conman, an artist, and, most of all, an asshole. But, even though he was those adjectives, Phillip couldn’t help but be numb to it all. Anything Barnum did, Phillip felt no obligation to steer him away from his dreams.
When Phineas left to go on the tour with Jenny Lind, Phillip did his damndest to keep the circus running. And what did Barnum do? He got into a scandal with Jenny.
When the fire burned the circus building to the ground, Phillip did his damndest to keep everyone safe. And what did Barnum do? He ran into the fire to save Phillip.
When the circus relocated to near the pier, Phillip did his damndest to attract more people to see the show. And what did Barnum do? He insisted on more animals and danger once the circus was up and running again.
So, yes, Phillip felt numb because of one Phineas Taylor Barnum.
But, there were those few times when Phillip would feel something .
When Barnum ran into the fire and carried him out, Phillip couldn’t help but feel protected.
When P.T. added more attractions for the circus and more people attended, Phillip felt pride.
When Phineas would gently pull him into a loving embrace, Phillip felt safe.
“Phil?” the older man spoke, bringing Phillip from his thoughts.
“Hmm?”
“What’re you thinking about?”
Phillip opened his mouth to answer, but the sparkle in Barnum’s eyes hinted that the man already knew or, at least, had an idea of what he was thinking about. And so, Phillip scowled.
“Why do you want to know?”
“What?” Barnum taunted lightly. “I’m not allowed to know what my overcompensated apprentice is thinking about?”
“No, absolutely not,” Phillip responded with the beginnings of a smile on his lips.
“Mmmhmm. And you weren’t thinking about a certain Anne Wheeler, were you?”
Phillip rolled his eyes and didn’t answer. He was not about to admit he was thinking about Phineas. He was not —
“ Oh . It wasn’t Anne you were thinking about. It was me .”
The way Barnum said that made Phillip flush a little. The older male’s honey eyes sparkled in delight. Phillip vehemently tried to deny everything, but Phineas was having none of it.
“Oh ho, this is gold ,” he teased.
“Tell anyone, and you won’t have to worry about the circus anymore,” Phillip threatened.
“I’m sure, Phil, I’m sure.”
The younger male narrowed his eyes, but he didn’t comment any further. While it was true, he wouldn’t take Barnum’s pride and joy away from him; Phillip was willing to try and get the other circus performers to turn on P.T., even if it was for a little while. Phineas’ reaction to it all would be hilarious if Phillip was being honest.
But Phillip wasn’t even sure if he would do that, either. Because, although Phineas Taylor Barnum was a pain in Phillip Carlyle’s ass, he was still someone the younger male would consider a friend, which was more than he could say for some other people he knew. Phillip had made many new companions in the circus, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world.